Random Question: What’s up with Scarlet Witch’s Headdress?

Ok, this isn’t really news related, rather something that’s been bugging me this past week. Every time I go into my bathroom, on the top of the pile of magazines, there’s Wizard #153 with The Avengers on the cover. Every time I look at it, I seem to settle on the Scarlet Witch and wonder, “What the heck is that red thing on her head?”

Do you know? click to see the image I’m talking about….

Now I know she’s had it on her head since the 60’s, but from a character design standpoint, what the heck is it? Is it a hat? It goes around her whole face though. How does it stay on? Why does she even have it? It’s not like it’s a mask that protects her identity. I know they’ve removed it a few times over the years, but it seems to keep coming back. What was Jack Kirby thinking when he drew it the first time and why does she keep wearing it?

Click on the image to the left to see a larger version and check out the red head-dress thing I’m talking about.

It’s just one of those things that has ALWAYS bugged me.